Ax-les-Thermes

09.15

720

Started in bright sunlight.

L’Hospitalet

10.38

11.25(18)

1 hr 23 mins

1436

The 27km main road climb to the Col de Puymorens starts from Ax. Cold due to shading from steep-sided wooded valley.

Col de Puymorens

11.27

5.9(9.5)

49 mins

1915

Most traffic heading for Perpignan goes through the tunnel at L’Hospitalet, but still leaving a fair stream going to Andorra. The steady climb (c.4-5%, 8-10mph) from Ax steepens slightly (sections at 7-8%, 5mph) as you head into the hairpins above the tunnel entrance and then relents. Most traffic carries on for Andorra as you make a rather awkward left turn for the Col 3kms away.

Bourg-Madame

12.30

12.42

17.2(27.5)

1 hr 3 mins

1130

An excellent long descent with long straights (stopped to watch an eagle almost hovering). Fantastic views – landscape, but also of cyclists on the way up, knowing that this was our last major climb of the tour. Fast ride all the way to Bourg: quick food stop.

Col de Lious

3.4(5.5)

1345

Warm afternoon sunshine. The next 3 cols and Mont Louis have a totally different character: no longer hemmed in by narrow, shaded valleys, these don’t really feel like climbs, despite being at considerable height. The scenery is expansive, pastoral and green and belies its 1100m+ elevation. Views across to Font-Romeu.

Col de Rigat

4.4(7)

1488

Short stiff climb through hairpins. 7-10mph

Col de la Perche

13.42

3.75(6)

1 hr

1570

Mont Louis

13.55

1.6(2.5)

13 mins

1585

Despite being 15m higher than the Col de la Perche, it feels downhill to Mont Louis.

Olette

12.5(20)

627

Descent starts from Mont Louis, down a wide wooded valley. Good 25+mph to Olette, then a downhill slog into a headwind to Prades. It’s never as easy as you think it’s going to be!

Villefranche

6.25(10)

432

Prades

14.57

15.30

3.75(6)

1 hr 2 mins

357

Late lunch-stop in the square timed badly because so many places won’t serve food after about 2pm.

70.42 miles @13.8mph

Vinca

5.6(9)

200

Col de St-Pierre

1.9(3)

185

Nothing noticeable.

Col Ternère

0.8(1.5)

200

Ditto.

Ille sur Tet

2.5(4)

141

The turn for Ille sur Tet was somewhat confused by ongoing building of a new road. This section to the sea is fast and flat.

Thuir

16.40

8.1(13)

1 hr 10 mins

99

Elne

17.24

11.9(19)

44 mins

52

St-Cyprien

Argelès-Plage

17.50

9.7(15.5)

26 mins

Carrefour D81/D114

Collioure

3.75(6)

15

At last a proper look at the Med. Café stop at slightly dubious bar!

Port Vendre

All these villages on the Corniche are at sea-level, so you have to a fair bit of climbing in between.

Banyuls

6.9(11)

40

Cap l’Abeille

140

This feel substantial at such a late stage in the ride.

Cerbère

19.23

6.25(10)

1 hr 33 mins (incl. 20 min stop in Collioure)

8 hrs 30 mins

25

Hotel La Vigie (2*, cheap. Fax 00 33 4 68 88 48 87), up the hill and right on the cliff- our sea view room was comfortable enough. Great seafood meal and a few drinks at a restaurant on the central seafront.

124.95 miles @14.7mph

Totals

Hendaye-Cerbere

08.00,30/08/02-19.23, 02/09/02

87 hrs 23 mins

11,000m of ascent

18 cols

450 miles (720km)